Transgender Athlete AB Hernandez Faces Controversy at CIF Championships

AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete representing Jurupa Valley High School, excelled in three girls’ jumping events during the preliminary round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state track and field championships. Hernandez secured the top position in two of these events and is now set to compete for the state title in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump.

The championship is not without its controversies, as Hernandez’s participation in girls’ competitions has sparked national debate. The events were held alongside a ‘Save Girls Sports’ rally where California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and several activists voiced their concerns. Meanwhile, Hernandez appeared in a video with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer earlier that day.

Hernandez achieved the highest score in the girls’ long jump, outperforming Ellie McCuskey-Hay of St. Ignatius. Later, despite the high jump and triple jump events overlapping, Hernandez qualified for the finals in both. Hernandez dominated the triple jump while securing a tie for fourth in the high jump, marking the first instance of not finishing first in any postseason event.

Steyer, in his video appearance with Hernandez, emphasized the importance of protection for individuals like Hernandez, expressing pride in the athlete’s efforts. The California championship meet is influenced by ongoing political discourse surrounding the issue of transgender athletes in sports. The CIF has reintroduced a policy awarding female athletes behind Hernandez one additional position, a measure set to continue into the finals.

The finals will determine whether Hernandez can reclaim the top podium position across all three events. The outcome will also be subject to the CIF’s policy of shared podium spots with the second-place female finishers.